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Monthly Archives: October 2012

If you have not yet experienced someone asking you: “Does god exist?” or some similar question, it’s likely in your future as America and Americans become more atheistic.

We’ll address “why” this is the case a bit later on.

When I’m asked “does god exist” my frequent response is to suggest that this person look in a mirror and ask “how and why am I here?” But today in listening to EWTN’S Mass celebrated by Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia, and today’s First Reading from the Book of Job; I was given a epiphany. Proving again that God has much better answers than do I.

“But the Lord, responding to Job from a whirlwind, said: ‘Did you, after your birth, command the birth of the sun and show the sunrise its place? … Have you entered the depths of the sea, and have you taken a walk in the uttermost parts of the abyss?Have you considered the breadth of the earth? If you know all things, reveal them to me. Which is the way that holds the light, and which is the place of darkness? So then, did you know when you were to be born? And did you know the number of your days? Will you make my judgment null and void; and will you condemn me so that you may be justified? And do you have an arm like God, or a voice like thunder?’ “

The lessons here are many. 1. God’s in charge. 2. God makes it possible through His Creation for everyone to understand that there must be a “force greater” than man, in Wisdom, Power, and Authority. 3. That the reason not everyone chooses to understand these facts is based on PRIDE driven by the “Father of Lies; Satan himself,” … Knowing either more or knowing better than others, or both. 4. Clearly the evidence of a “Far Greater Force” than man is evident, even if one chooses not to acknowledge that “force” as Christians choose to as “God“. 5. The choice not to acknowledge God’s existence is then a very personal [and therefore, a very accountable] one.

The veracity of Evolution

Many seem to be surprised that “evolution” is conditionally accepted by the Catholic Church. The essential “condition” is that God not be taken out of the reason for this process to take place. That God MUST be a pert of the process seems to be irrefutable. The “First Cause” can be neither overlooked or denied. The existence if “cells” and the “atom” have no origin in evolution that we know of. Nor can science explain the evolution of “sight” and “hearing.” The mechanisms and complexity of both are even in this day not fully understood and are recognized as a “marvel of engineering.”

The existence of Order in the Universe is at times trivialized in an attempt to bypass the obvious complexity of the Solar Systems, Galaxies and the incomprehensible enormity of the Universe that we know of; all the while knowing full well that what we can see and know is but a small segment of it‘s totality. The Natural Laws such as gravity, the rotation of the planets; especially the sun and the moon and there essential roles in sustaining life forms is simply too profound to be accidental or without purpose.

It ought to be obvious to all that there is a “cause”; precise in its nature for the “effects” we can identify within the Universe. For example Earth alone of the BILLIONS of stars and planets is able to support the life forms essential to Our World. Sun and rain can be explained, but there Original Cause cannot. And in turn the existence of Earth and humanities place on it is too profound to assume it’s accidental. Both must be a part of some “Master Plan.” The ecology and the food-chain too are too complex, too organized to “just be.”

Humanities Place and Purpose for Existence

To assume that humanity exist without a precise cause; for a precise reason is both foolish and reckless and completely devoid of honest self-reflection and candor. The Story of Creation is assumed by many to be only a myth; an impossibility. And yet there is no other plausible explanation. None of us were there, and it’s not essential that the “Story” be literal from a “time” standpoint”, only that the process of Creation: “to make something out of nothing” is understood to be beyond any other feasible explanation. “Time” as we understand it, is a invention of and for man. God being Eternal there no need for “time” to exist beyond our need for spatial -understanding.

His Excellency; Archbishop Chaput, in his homily shared the following definition of “Wisdom.” “Wisdom’ he explains is the ability to think s God thinks AND then to act as God acts.” No easy task this.

The fact that the Bible is indeed the “inspired WORDS” of God, our Creator, too are proven logically and historically from events that have taken place. The Old Testament Prophet Isaiah, who live about 700 years before the birth of Christ are very meaningful to our current discussion.

Isa. 55: 6-11

“Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return not thither but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

From this passage we are able to understand that “True Wisdom” as defined by Archbishop Chaput; like “Grace” must be an infused gift from God. Those that possess it, are Blessed. And this goes a long way in explaining the numerous Protestant faiths and churches.

Isa.43 Verses 7 and 21: “every one who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” AND the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.”

Here we see that humanity alone fulfills God’s Designed Will

[Book of Genesis 1:26-27] and alone are able to emulate some of the Godly attributes. By giving to man alone a mind, intellect, and freewill; [All Spiritual things like God Himself], only humanity can choose to love or hate. Only humanity can know of and acknowledge God and therefore only humanity has that very obligation imposed on them by virtue of there very existence to freely choose to do, or not to do, just that.

Why does humanity alone have the ability to deny God’s very existence.

God’s Universe and Earth in particular were and are Created by God for humanity. There can be no other logical explanation. The Law of “cause and effect” make this evident. Atheist exist by choice of freewill. Not by ignorance, even though there is an obvious lack of knowledge in the choice, it remains a “freewill-choice.”

The plurality of possible reasons for atheist growth here in America all relate in some manner, and in some degree to ones self-pride. Leading the list perhaps in the inventible consequence of acknowledging God requires “life-Style” changes and different choices.

That fact that the age of “Relevantism” is upon us and is wildly sought and eagerly accepted cannot be disputed. It’s motto stems from a supposed self importance. “It’s ONLY wrong if I judge it to be wrong,” advocates and permits ignoring God’s Commands and Purposes, overrides the U.S. Constitution purpose and protections, permit’s the senseless slaughter of MILLIONS of innocent babies, same sex -unions [I just can’t convince my self to term it “marriages”], contraceptive sex, “No-Fault” [and therefore logically NO CAUSE] divorce and a multitude of self-serving; self satisfying decisions and acts. .. ALL leading to a usurpations of the very reason for humanities existence on God’s earth.

So the next time your asked if God exist; remember these passages from Job and this discussion.

John the Baptist whose task and privilege it was to announce the Messiah of God

John 1:29, 36 “The next day, John saw Jesus coming to him, and he proclaimed: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sin of the world. And beholding Jesus walking, he proclaimed: Behold the Lamb of God.”

“Christ words became more poignant because this was the season of the Passover. Though the Jews looked on blood in an awesome manner, they were leading their lambs at that time to Jerusalem, where blood would be sprinkled to the four directions of the earth. The strangeness of the utterance about giving His body and Blood diminished against the background of the Passover; He meant that the shadow of the animal lamb was passing, and its place was being taken by the true Lamb of God. As they had communion in the flesh and blood of the Pascal Lamb, so now they would have communion with the Flesh and Blood of the True lamb of God. He who was born in Bethlehem, the “HOUSE OF BREAD” and was laid in a manger, a place for food of food for lower animals, would now be to men so inferior to Him, their Bread of Life. Everything in nature has to have communion in order to live; and through it what is lower is transformed into what is higher: chemical into plants, plants into animals, animals into man. And man? Should we not be elevated through communion with Him Who came “came down” from heaven to make man a partaker of the Divine nature? As a Mediator between God and man, He said that, as He lived by the Father, so they would live by Him.

John 6:58 “

As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father; so he that eateth me, the same also shall live by me.”

How carnal was the eating of manna, and how spiritual was the eating of the flesh of Christ!

It was far more intimate living by Him than a baby’s living by the nourishment supplied by the mother. Every mother to every child at her breast can say, “Eat, this is my body; this is my blood.” But actually the comparison ends there; for the mother-child relationship, both are on the same level.

In the Christ-human relationship, the difference is of God and man; heaven and earth. Furthermore, no mother has ever had to die and take on a more glorious existence in her human nature before she can be the nourishment of her offspring. But our Lord said that He would have to “give” His life, before he would be the Bread of Life to believers. The plants which nourish animals do not live on another planet; the animals that nourish man do not live in another world. If Christ was then to be the “Life of the World,” [John 6:52] He must be tabernacled among men as Emmanuel of “God is with us,” supplying a life for the soul as earthly bread is life for the body.

It was madness for any man to offer his flesh to eat

. BUT they were not long left in the dark as our Lord corrected them, saying that, not a mere man, but the “Son Of Man” would give it. As usual that title referred to the expiatory sacrifice He would offer. NOT THE DEAD CHRIST would believers feed upon, BUT THE GLORIFIED CHRIST [

my emphasis]in heaven Who died, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven. The mere eating of the flesh and blood of a man would profit nothing [explaining John 6: 63-64] ; but he GLORIFED Body and Blood of the “Son of Man” would profit unto eternal life. As man died spiritually by physically eating in the Garden of Eden, so he would live again SPIRITUALLY through eating the fruit of the tree of LIFE.

Christ words were too literal, and he cleared up too many false interpretations, for any of His hearers to claim that the Eucharist {OR Body and Blood he would give} was a mere symbol, or that it’s effects depended upon the subjective dispositions of the receiver.

it was our Lords method whenever someone misunderstoodwhat He said to correct that

understanding, as He did when Nicodemus thought “born-again” meant reentering his mothers womb. But whenever someone correctly understood what he said, but found fault with it, He repeated what he said. [My emphasis] AND IN THIS DISCOURSE, OUR LORD REPEATED FIVE TIMESWHAT HE SAID ABOUT His Body and Blood. The full meaning of these words did not become evident until the night before He died. In His last will and testament, he left that which on dying no other man had been able to leave, namely, His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, for the entire world.

PART TWO

The Refusal to Be a Bread King

The announcement of the Eucharist produced one of greatest crisis of His Life. His promise to give His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity caused Him to lose much that He had gained. Until now He had almost everyone behind Him: first, the masses of the common people; next the elite, the intellectuals and religious leaders, and finally His own Apostles. But this lofty spiritual doctrine was too much for them. The announcement of the Eucharist cracked His followers wide open. No wonder their has been such a division of sects in Christianity when each man decides for himself whether he will accept a segment of the circle of Christ truth or the whole circle. or Lord himself was responsible for this; He asked a faith too much for most men; His doctrine was too sublime. If only he had been a bit more worldly – minded, if he had only allowed His WORDS

[my emphasis] to be treated as figures of speech, and if only He had been less imperative he might have been more popular.

But He rocked His followers. Calvary would be the hot war against Him; this was the beginning of the cold war. Calvary would be the physical Crucifixion; this would be the social Crucifixion.

He lost the masses

He created a schism among His disciples

He even weakened His Apostolic band.

He lost the masses: the masses were generally interested only in wonders and security. When He multiplied the loafs and the fishes, he startled their eyes. When he filled their stomachs He satisfied their sense of social justice. THAT WAS THE KIND OF KING THEY WANTED

[my emphasis] , A BREAD KING. “What else can religion do for man, anyway, except give him social security?” they seemed to ask. The masses tried to force Him to become a king. That is what Satan wanted too. Fill gullets, turn stones into bread, and promise prosperity — this is the end of living for most mortals.

But our Lord would have no kingship based on economics of plenty. To make him king was the Fathers business, not theirs: His Kingship would be hearts and souls, not digestive tracts. So the Gospel tells us He fled to the mountains Himself alone, to escape their tinsel crown and tinsel sword.

How close the masses were to salvation! They wanted life; He wanted to give life. the difference was in their interpretation of “LIFE.”

Recently I have encountered several post that claim “Faith Alone” is sufficient for one’s salvation“. I find this worrisome, not simply because it is biblically untrue, but also because it was not until the 16th. Century that what God Himself Ordained; only One Church [Matt.16:15-19 and 28:16-20], One Leader, [John 21:15-17], and only One set of Faith beliefs [Eph.4:5; 3: 9-12]were forgotten or pushed aside? Our Lord’s Heart was torn asunder; when more than 1,500 years of God’s Own articulated Will, Desire and Teachings were ignored; or self-interpreted so that man’s own-will could supersede that of their Creator. Innovation, personal opinions, and prideful assumptions that denied, rewrote and manufactured there own personal “religions” were the result, caused and founded on wrong or incomplete understanding of the bible. These new- born faith’s grew feverishly. The Protestant Revolution assumed and usurped rights never wanted by God, needed for salvation, and are completely grounded in a totally unwarranted grab for power and authority that lacks biblical foundation or justification.

Are these claims unsubstantiated ? No. Or unbiblical? No.

THERE IS ONLY ONE INFALLIBLE-RULE FOR RIGHT UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT GOD TEACHES IN HIS BIBLE;

NEVER-EVER MAY OR CAN ONE PASSAGE OR VERSE INVALIDATE, MAKE VOID OR SUPERCEDE ANOTHER. …WHY? Because this would make the bible worthless to learn or to teach true faith.

Prov.30 Verses 5 to 6: “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you, and you be found a liar” …

2Tim.3 Verses 16 to 17 “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. “

2nd. Peter 1: 19-21

“And we have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

Christ directly passed His Own Powers and Authority to the Apostles alone and through them today’s Catholic Church. Here are some admonitions from God:

John 14:26 and 20:21-22

“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you [Apostles singular] all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” … AND “Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit“.

Matt. 13:9-12

“He who has ears, let him hear.” Then the disciples [Apostles] came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to him who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away

.”

Luke.10: 16 “He who hears youhears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

Matt. 28:16-20

“Now the eleven disciples [Apostles] went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [and is now being handed on to you] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have

2nd. Peter 3:14-17 “

Therefore, beloved, since you wait for these, be zealous to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the forbearance of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, speaking of this as he does in all his letters. There are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, beware lest you be carried away with the error of lawless men and lose your own stability.”

John 5: 36-44

“But the testimony which I [Jesus] have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father has granted me to accomplish, these very works which I am doing, bear me witness that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness to me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen; and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe him whom he has sent. You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me; yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. I do not receive glory from men. But I know that you have not the love of God within you. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe, who receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

Can one who professes “to be a follower of Jesus” find it acceptable with God by insisting on having their own understanding of the salvation process? Even if it makes void what Christ Himself ordained? It seems at best; extremely unlikely.

The evidence of my claim is further certified by the huge and ever-increasing numbers of Protestants faith’s [religions and churches] in existence today. How can they exist when “TRUTH” is always a singular reality and possibility per issue?

God is among many other good things; “all knowing.” Therefore in an absolute sense God had to know prior to Creating humanity with the freedom to choose “right from wrong” that Both Adam and Eve would literally choose to deny the God that Created them and gave them the same attributes as the Angels and the same extraordinary levels of “intellect; mind, and freewill.” WHY?

God knew before hand that His Creation would sin and deny Him, and yet proceeded with the Creation of humanity anyway; ought this cause us to raise a few questions in our mind?

1. Why did God Create humanity?

2. Why did God Create humanity “in His Own Image?” Genesis 1:26-27?

3. Does confusion over Christ separate roles as Redeemer and Savior by the Protestant communions stem from a “lack of Faith” as intended by God?

4. What was and is Christ role as Redeemer? Is it separate from His Role as Our Savior?

5. What is Christ Role as “Savior and Salvation?”

6. What does the Bible teach on the issue of “personal justification?”

7. Is what the Catholic Church Teaches in full accord with Biblical Teaching?

8. Are protestants in accord with what the bible teaches?

9. Can Justification be lost?

10. Can anyone’s salvation be assured?

11. Christ Instituted Seven Sacraments. WHY?

12. What are the minimum requires of “justification?”

DIFFERING VIEWS AND UNDERSTANDINGS OF JUSTIFICATION

Protestant

Catholic

1.

To justify means to account as righteous. 1. To justify means to make righteous:

[This does not account for the necessary [This is accomplished 1. Through God’s

Forgiveness of our sins as God Commands Grace and through the Sacrament of

In John 20:23, or Baptism in John 3:5 / Confession. John 20:19-23 which is a carry

Over from Old testament practices.

Ezek. 18:21-28 and Lev.5:13]

2.

Justification comes by the imputation of 2. Justification comes by an infusion of grace.

Christ’s righteousness.

[Salvation is a PROCESS that originates from

[By this is meant Christ alone does all that God’s Grace BUT requires mans “freewill”

—

Is necessary. Man must only “have faith”]

acceptance of grace which leads to Faith

Eph. 2:8; Rom.6:14; Rom 3:24]

3.The grace of God in Christ makes the

3. Sanctifying grace in the believer makes

believer acceptable and pleasing in God’s sight him acceptable to God.

[Means: soley through the love of God for all [The Protestant position FAILS to account 4

Rom.2: 13 “For it is not the hearers of the lawand this is not your own doing,

who are righteous before God, but the doers

it is the gift of God” —

of the law who will bejustified.” BUT IT DOES ALWAYS REQUIRE

THE FREEWILL ASSENT OF

John 3:5

“Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say MAN [PJM]

To you, unless one is born of water and the

Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

John 3:36 “He who believes in the Son has

Eternal life; he who does not obey the Son

shall not see life

, but the wrath of God rests

upon him]

16.

At all times the believer is accepted only in the 16. Sanctifying grace with in the believer

Person of Christ, his Substitute. makes him acceptable to God

The only reference to something like this that I was able to locate is: Eph. 2:12-22

AND it specifies as “member of Christ Catholic Church“; not one of many thousands of “man- made replacements and substitutes.” NOR does it say or imply THIS position CAN OR MAY OR WILL EXIST without conditions set rightfully by God. REMEMBER THE ONE INFALLIBLE RULE FOR RIGHT UNDERSTANDING OF THE BIBLE. [above]

QUOTE: “remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, [SEE MATT. 19:17] that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, [SINGULAR] built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; [SINGULAR] in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”

Haydock’s Biblical-Commentary explanation on Eph. verse 14 through 20

“Ver. 14.

Christ destroyed the enmity which, like a wall of separation, stood between Jew and Gentile, and united them into one people. He did this in his flesh, by his own blood, or the sacrifice he made of his flesh on the cross. … Ver. 19. You are no longer strangers with regard to God and his holy alliance. You are no longer travellers and vagabonds, without a God, as you were before your conversion; not knowing to whom you belonged, nor finding in paganism either solid foundation or truth, neither hopes for this nor consolation for future life. But now you are become citizens of the same city as the saints, and domestics of the house of God. … Ver. 20. The Church is in this place said to be built upon the apostles and prophets; why not then upon St. Peter?”

QUOTED FROM A SOURCE THAT I NOLONGER RECALL…

“St. Paul explains to the Christians in Rome, “For we account a man to be justified by faith, without the works of the law (Romans 3:28).” In this epistle to the first Jewish Christians, Paul warns the people not to consider themselves justified by the Mosaic Law expounded in the book of Leviticus. Because Christ is the fulfillment of the Old Covenant, St. Paul tells us that Christ’s Passion has merited the gift of grace, “But now without the law the justice of God is made manifest, being witnessed by the law and the prophets. Even the justice of God, by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all them that believe in him: for there is no distinction: For all have sinned, [1 John 1:8-10] and do need the glory of God. Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption, that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:21-24).”

Justification is a term that means the cleansing of sin in a person, and the communication by grace of “the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22) ” through Baptism. Christ has redeemed the whole world, but we must freely choose to cooperate in the redemption. Justification includes the forgiveness of original and personal sin, restoration of the interior man and sanctification of the soul through grace. Thus justification and sanctification occur together and are not exclusive of each other. Grace is a free gift of God that imputes divine life into the soul as well as the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity. Sanctifying grace of the soul must normatively be received through the sacrament of Baptism. Through baptism, God adopts us as his sons and daughters. This is why Catholics baptize infants.

Jesus Christ alone can merit our initial justification and sanctification through his Passion and Resurrection

.

Once grace is imputed in the soul, faith, hope and charity can merit the increase of justification and sanctification.

Faith without good works is dead faith (

James 2:17). The seven Sacraments of the Church increase grace and thus justification in the believer. Prayer for those of the Body of Christ and ourselves can merit increasing grace for others and ourselves. Christian suffering has a redemptive role by allowing us to cooperate with Christ’s Passion and suffering. Rejecting God’s love and grace through mortal sin results in lost justification. [1st. John 5:16-17] Venial sin weakens charity, but does not cut us off from Christ because venial sin (although offensive to God) is not a rejection of the heavenly Father.

No person can have an assurance of their salvation unless they receive an extraordinary revelation from God.

Can Justification be Lost?

St. Paul warns us that justification and sanctification are a life-long process, and we should be vigilant not to turn against God and lose our justification. Paul’s letter to the Hebrews is particularly powerful, “For if we sin willfully after having the knowledge of the truth, there is now left no sacrifice for sins, But a certain dreadful expectation of judgment, and the rage of a fire which shall consume the adversaries (Hebrews 10:26-27).” Paul assures us that those who take justification of grace for granted and continue to rail against God and defy cooperation with grace can lose their justification.

Can we have a definitive assurance of our Salvation?

Assurance of salvation is a presumption upon God that we can infallibly judge the state of our souls. The Bible is very clear that only God and God alone can judge a person’s soul. Paul writes, “For we must all be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the proper things of the body, according as he hath done, END QUOTES

Eph.1 :13 to 14 “In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, which is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”

Matt.12: [37] for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Rom.2:13 “For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.”

God was fully aware of what Adam and Ever were to choose. His plan for humanities salvation had toinclude a Messiah, and His Passion. Death and Ressurection from the time of their Creation.

This is the only reasonable explaination for why God Created Humanity “in His Image.” Having a mind, intellect and FREEWILL permnately attached to our souls. Isaiah explains just “why” we are granted such powerful gifts:

Isaiah 43: 7

“every one who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

ANDverse 21: “the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.” “MIGHT” being the key word for right understanding.

A theological understanding of the “powers of these gifts from God to His humanity” knowing full well that many; indeed, all of us [but the Virgin Mary; His Mother] would fail His Will and His Desire it is then possible to concludes that “in this freedom of choice” we are made more powerful than God Himself; BECAUSE that is His Divine Will. WHY?

“Why” is answered: Matt.5: 48] “You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” God’s love for His Created humanity is perfect, is proven and is desired in return. The ONLY possibility humanity has to return “perfect love” for “perfect love” if it is FREELY given; FREELY proven.

And this dear friends is the missing understanding in the Protestant community. “Faith” requires only “belief.” Sure faith is improved with love; BUT love in not mandated. One can believe without loving; without self giving; without sacrifice. Clearly this key to one’s salvation is missed or ignored?

SUFFERING

Take Up your Cross and Follow Me

Phil.2: 8 “And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross Luke.9 :23 And he said to all, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Mark.8: 34 And he called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Luke.9: 23 And he said to all, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke.14: 7 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”

1Pet.4: 13 ” But rejoice in so far as you share Christ’ssufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

1Pet.5: 1, 9 “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world.”

Phil.1: 29 “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but alsosuffer for his sake, “

2Thes.1: 5 “This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be made worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you aresuffering “

Heb. 2: 10

For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering.

In summation, I’d like to briefy respond to my original questions:

1. Why did God Create humanity?

To Know, Love [proven in obedience to all that He taught] and serve Him in this world so that we MIGHT be happy with Him in the next.

2. Why did God Create humanity “in His Own Image?” Genesis 1:26-27?

To enable us to Freely choose our Love of and for Him

3. Does confusion over Christ separate roles as Redeemer and Savior by the Protestant communions stem from a “lack of Faith” as intended by God?

Yes Absolutely!

“Redeemer” applies to everyone, past, present and future. THAT is what the Cross accomplished once and for all. BUT “salvation” and redemption” DO NOT mean precisely the same things.

4. What was and is Christ role as Redeemer? Is it separate from His Role as Our Savior?

Christ as “Redeemer” makes heaven once again a possibility. Access had been denied to ALL humanity because of the “Original Sin” of Adam and Eve. Christ became the NEW Adam while Mary in a non-essential [but nevertheless extremely valuable role] becomes “the New Eve.” Hell was immediately accessible for those who chose it; but heaven was denied to all who merited it until Christ Arose from The Dead and Ascended back “to the Father.”

5. What is Christ Role as “Savior and Salvation?”

Christ IS our Savior! Salvation is Only Possible through Him. But salvation is only a possibility when it is DONE IN FULL ACCORD with God’s plan and Divine Will. Period! Man-made innovations and shortcuts will NOT accomplish this goal.

6. What does the Bible teach on the issue of “personal justification?”

That is a multi-step process and each step must be completed

7. Is what the Catholic Church Teaches in full accord with Biblical Teaching?

Yes it was before the protestant revolution; has not changed because of it and remains God’s Will and Plan for humanities salvation.

8. Are protestants in accord with what the bible teaches?

No; sadly and the consequences would seem to be DIRE.

9. Can Justification be lost?

Absolutely:

Matt.25: 13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” ; Luke.21: 36 “Butwatch at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man.” Rev.2: 23 “and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches shall know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve.” 1 Peter 1: 17 “Now if you invoke as Father him who judges impartially according to each one’s works, conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning, “ “ Matt.19: 17 “And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” THESE and many other similar WARNING WOULD BE UNNECESSARY IF SALVATION COULD BE ASSURED!

10. Can anyone’s salvation be assured?

Only by a direct infusion of knowledge by God personally. EXTREMELY RARE

11. Christ Instituted Seven Sacraments. WHY?

Faith is impossible without God’s grace.

Salvation even once attained can be lost

God Created the seven Sacraments as a source of NEEDED grace and demonstrates His unphantomable love for humanity by allowing humanity themselves to control the flow of these graces into our souls; thus having a HUGE effect on ones POSSIBLE salvation.